Genesis 43:21

We read of the inn as early as Genesis 42:27 and Genesis 43:21, when Jacob sent to Egypt for grain. The word malon simply means 'lodging place.' At first it may mean nothing more than a spot near water where travellers usually rested. … Those known in the East were just walled enclosures for safety. Covered spaces along the walls gave travellers a place to lie down and put their goods.

But Joseph followed up what he began by directing each man's money to be returned in his own sack. He wanted to deepen the work beyond a sense of payback for their past evil toward himself. Food for their journey alone might not have had any such effect. But the money restored would strike them as not at all the way of a sale, or the way of man. And it came on them gradually. For at their stopping place only one opened his sack to feed his donkey and saw his money in the mouth of the sack. He told the others. It dismayed them all, and they could only say to each other, "What is this that God has done to us?" A bad conscience brought God before them. Why else would the governor act so kindly? He had suspected them of being spies, kept one brother in custody, and insisted on having the one their father loved best.

The inspired account, in its own beautiful simplicity, shows us God working in the conscience of the sons of Israel. How little they yet understood that His goodness was leading them to repentance! They did not see that the brother they had wronged so deeply and hated so bitterly was only working their greatest good through these trials. The invitation into the governor's house filled them with unease… So they rushed to tell the story of their mysterious discovery and to repay money that was not theirs. But the steward assured them all was right on that score without further explanation. God would work more deeply yet.

They explain to the steward that they have brought double money. But though he knows all about it, he sets it all aside and brings Simeon out to them. Still clinging to their own efforts, they get their gift ready "for Joseph's coming at noon." Then Joseph in his turn sets it all aside. The money and the gift achieve nothing at all.

They could only think they were brought in to be condemned. They could not imagine they were brought in to be feasted… They looked on Joseph as against them, as someone who had to be appeased. They had yet to learn that he is making all things work together for good. Instead of judging themselves, they are judging Joseph. In all these marks of favour they can only imagine that Joseph is looking for a charge against them — that he means to fall on them and make them slaves.

Being made Joseph's guests only awakened their fear and suspicion. Grace does this in those who want matters on a legal basis… Many people also remain unsaved only because they are suspicious of God's grace in Christ Jesus… The steward answered them kindly, to set their minds at rest about this. "Peace be to you," he says, "do not be afraid." They should only thank their God, the God of their father, for the money. He tells them, "I had your money." This was true: he had it, but had given it back, though he does not tell them so.